KOHO is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary, cultural, non-profit arts organization, in development for and by artists & creators, located in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown. Welcoming visitors near and far, KOHO creates immersive cultural experiences, partners with AAPI arts and economic organizations, and serves as a beacon for native Japanese and Japanese-Americans to return to Japantown to reconnect with authentic culture and community and preserve San Francisco Japantown for generations far into the future. To advance strategy efforts in the area of arts, culture, and economic development and revitalization, KOHO strives to continue the long standing traditions of Japantown while designing authentic experiences that reflect our cultural narratives past and present, and attract new audiences to fuel economic recovery. KOHO will host curated programs that showcase and develop the talent and skills of Japanese-American creatives and AAPI allies, and will activate pop-ups, art exhibits, panel discussions, and professional development and creative workshops that amplify Japantown’s 117 year old history and narratives of today. As the chief port of entry to America, waves of Japanese arrived into the ports of San Francisco from 1890-1909. San Francisco Japantown was formed in its current location after the 1906 earthquake, and is now the oldest and one of only three Japantowns left in the nation. Due to two waves of displacement - first the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII, followed by evictions in the Redevelopment era in the 1960s-70s - many of the Japanese-American community no longer live in Japantown. Celebrating the ever evolving creative spirit of our Japanese and Japanese-American community, KOHO gives voice to our immigrant ancestors, the strength and resilience and the narratives of our multi-ethnic, inter-generational community of today.

Susie Kagami is a fundraising specialist and auctioneer with over eleven years of experience working for various Asian-American non-profit organizations in the Bay Area. Her passion lies in helping cultural and arts organizations strategically raise money through mission based messaging and creating donor relevant philanthropic fundraising opportunities to maximize proceeds and strengthen connections to their cause.Susie has experience with Online, Silent and Live Auctions, emceeing and auctioneer bid calling with a Fund-A-Need (paddle raise) from the stage, Gala and 5k Run/Walk planning and execution, Annual Donor Support Drives, community marketing and promotion, and volunteer and committee management.Susie Kagami is one of few women, and women of color auctioneers in the Bay Area. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designation through the National Auctioneers Association. Utilizing the training, mentorship and years of experience of her NAA professional auctioneer constituents, she is able to maximize revenue and create memorable donor experiences for her clients. BAS auctioneers can significantly raise more money for organizations providing valuable resources and saving time over those who use staff, volunteers or auctioneerswho do have the BAS professional certification.

Building upon her passion for the preservation of Japantown, Susie strengthened the Japantown Task Force staff and operations through establishing a strong Japantown presence with San Francisco Cultural District leaders. She is a strong connector and built alliances between Japantown communities. Additionally she possesses expertise in addressing and managing resources in the areas of fundraising, marketing, arts and culture, and land use. She lead the San Francisco Board of Supervisor adoption process for the Japantown Cultural, History, Housing & Economic Sustainability Strategy (CHHESS) report with the Mayor’s Office of Housing Community Development (MOHCD) to include edits from City agencies and a final review from the Japantown community. She worked with the SF Planning Department advocating for affordable and accessible housing for a return of Japanese-Americans to Japantown after displacement of WWII and Redevelopment. She highlighted the trauma and effects on Japanese Americans today and the need for reparations. She participated in SF Planning focus groups with leaders of communities of color to guide future policy. Moderated a nine-person focus group on racial and social equity with the Housing Element 2022 team. Pursued grant opportunities with public and private funding sources to meet short and long-term program, operations and staffing needs. She nurtured relationships with private philanthropists and partnerships with organizations whose missions align with Japantown’s revitalization and preservation efforts.Directed the launch of KOHO, a multi-generational Japantown co-creative arts hub in development by and for artists devised to serve the community and serve as a beacon to attract Japanese and Japanese-American artists to Japantown. Guiding a team of ten integrating Japanese, Japanese-American traditional and current cultural competencies and narratives to influence the hub’s values, core purpose, brand promise and messaging.

Founded HML to share the indigenous history, fashion and music through various art forms of Hawaiian music and cultural arts worldwide. Created and fostered press and radio media relations in many states. Ran social media and email campaigns for Hawaii related content monthly. Designed brand and maintained website and email newsletter mailing list of over 2000 direct fans. Managed and booked concert tours and workshops throughout the US and Japan with Hawaii's Top musical entertainment. Assisted with managed the 10-day Kahumoku Ohana Hawaiian Music and Lifestyles Workshop in Ka'u for 12 years. Curated, planned and managed week-long 'Footsteps of Kamehameha' historic cultural tour for mainland travelers. Currently curates programs rooted in Hawaiian culture and ancient knowledge upon grant-funded opportunities in the arts of indigenous cultures. www.HawaiiMusicLive.com

Planned and managed fundraising campaigns, assisted with annual fundraising event ticketing, auction item solicitation, procurement, auction online platform. Assisted with enrollment, general operations.

Directed the overall management of the organization in accordance with the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors with a focus on community outreach, development, operations and the passion and vision to partner with artist and philanthropy organizations to grow AAWAA globally. Increased annual revenue and qualifications for secure additional funding opportunities to grow staff capacity.Developed a three-year strategic planning process with Board of Directors Led staff, interns and volunteers to grow membership by 30%, acquire new exhibition sponsors and donorsIncreased grant awards & implemented new fundraising opportunitiesExpanded programming and partnerships regionally beyond San Francisco Advanced national press visibility through informed targeted outreach and improving communicationDirected operational efficiencies and led the creation of a robust donor management database Founded in 1989 and a nonprofit since 2007, AAWAA is the leading organization of Asian American women in the arts for social change. AAWAA's mission is to ensure the visibility, documentation, and well­ being of Asian American women artists. Through art, empowerment, and social justice, AAWAA supports Asian American women’s voices in arts institutions, media, and narratives in American and Art History. AAWAA's programs offer thought ­provoking perspectives that challenge societal assumptions and promote inter-generational and cross-­cultural dialogue.

As Development Coordinator, managed all incoming donations from database entry and financial designation to acknowledgment. Coordinated fundraising programs such as annual support drives, sweepstakes, raffles and auctions generating and meeting goals of $10,000 – $65,000 per project.

An integral part of the 2015 production team for the 11th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration, May 16, 2015. Leading sponsorship fulfillment, assisting with art direction, program supplement direction, site logistics and media. Over 150 vendor booths, two music stages and an expected audience of over 20,000 people, this street event celebrates the wonderful ethnic diversities that reside and thrive in the bay area.

Created and founded HA to manage and book tours for Hawaii’s top entertainers into Performing Arts Centers, music clubs and educational centers around the nation and Japan. Booked over 25 concerts and workshops a year. Attended booking conferences, negotiates and executes contracts, plans and executes strategies for tours, manages budgets and schedules all travel logistics. Organized a 2-day cultural learning retreat ‘Spirit Hawaii 2012’ in Lafayette, California. Co-produced a three-part music video shoot at Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Arts. Designed brand and maintains website: www.HAtalent.com Through the years, our entertainers have grace the stages of some amazing venues:Anthology Jazz Club, San Diego, CABlue Note Tokyo and Cotton Club, Tokyo & Nagoya, JapanKuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz, CAYoshi's Jazz, Oakland & San Francisco, CAEdmonds Performing Arts Center, Edmonds, WAFord Amphitheater, Hollywood, CAIrvine Barclay Theater, Irvine, CAKent Performing Arts Center, Kent, WANapa Valley Opera House, Napa, CANapa Valley Center for the Arts at Lincoln Center, Yountville, CARuth B. Shannon Performing Arts Center, Whittier, CASOKA University Performing Arts Center, Aliso Viejo, CASmithsonian Museum of Native American Indians, Washington D.C.Wildish Theater, Eugene, ORCache Creek Casino and Resort, Brooks, CAPacanga Casino and Resort, Temecula, CAThunder Valley Casino and Resort, Lincoln, CAHawaii Presidential Center Inaugural Gala, Washington D.C.2013 Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball, Washington D.C.Kenmore Summer Concert Series, Kenmore, WAJapan:Nakano Sunplaza - TokyoYokosuka Arts Theater - KanagawaTokorozawa Muze, SaitamaAichi Prefectureal Art Theater, AichiSankei Hall Breeze, OsakaSun Palace Hall, FukuokaMeguro Persimmon Hall, TokyoHouzan Hall, KagoshimaShinjuku Bunka, TokyoChiba Shimin Kaikan, ChibaMeitetsu Hall, NagoyaKokusai Koryu Center, OsakaSunport Takamatsu, TakamatsuKamakura Geijutukan, Kamakura

As a part of a 5 person team, assist with promotion, coordination and budgeting for seven consecutive years. This workshop has brought Hawaiian music, traditional arts, crafts, food, language, and dance to over 800 students from around the world over its nine year existence. Hawaii’s top notable artists are flown-in to teach both foreigners, locals and youth in a week of Hawaiian cultural immersion. Scholarships are provided to many youth, ages 7-16. Sponsors such as Queen Lilluokalani Children’s Center, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and many local merchants and business provide in-kind and monetary donations.

PTCC-JBBP, the parent organization of the Japanese Bilingual Bicultural, is an all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit that supports the unique cultural programming and daily language curriculum provided to students in grades Kindergarten through 5 at Rosa Parks Elementary School. The only program of its kind within the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), Japanese language has been taught exclusively by native speakers in all grades for 40 years. In addition to fundraising over $40,000 per year to aid in the salaries and cost of supplies, the PTCC-JBBP is also involved in recruiting and welcoming incoming families, supporting organizations and businesses within our Japanese communities, connecting with our alumni, and assisting with development language pathways to the upper grades within the SFUSD.

Managed customer service, work orders and executed minor design corrections for a large format graphic printer. Clients included UC Berkeley, Pump It Up corporate, Method Home, PoP! Gourmet Popcorn, Cliff Bar, BART and many non-profit organizations. Assisted Management with the process and development of the company website: www.colortoneinc.com

Working with the Corporate Merchandisers and Architects, we created the fixture and space allocation store prototype for all four clothing divisions and once approved, applied these parameters as we planned each new and remodeled Old Navy store. Our team of fourteen were responsible for ordering store fixtures and display items for more than 120 stores per year. We also created a company-wide access database to account for each fixture by division, store size, shape and type. This database is used by the assets management department to account for store inventories, the merchandising department to accurately give monthly direction and all product production departments to more accurately make their seasonal product buys.

Our team developed a fixture, signage and branding concept for a new presence in many of flagship department stores such as Macyʻs, Burdineʻs, Bloomingdaleʻs and Dillards across the country. Creating shops within stores, we negotiated the best visible and walking traffic withing the juniors departments and worked with fixture manufactures and installers to create shop environments in over 110 stores a year.

Color matched, sourced and ordered all buttons, bows, zippers, patches for clothing samples and large seasonal production for all three retail divisions; Juniors, Toddler and Baby. Added responsibilities included color matching and design approval for all screen prints and embroideries.

As Corporate Move Manager, successfully planned and executed large corporate moves, of over 2000 employees per project for companies such as PacBell and Borland Software. Assisting the Design Department, planned and managed the delivery, installation and reconfiguration of all phone and computer data cabling, and new or used office systems for all executive offices, open workstations and public areas such as libraries, conference rooms, fitness centers and cafeterias. Over 4 consecutive weekends, 500 employees per weekend, we were typically able to move all personal contents, phone and computers for over 2000 people with little to no business downtime.